davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06
Republicans to Blame.

The Connecticut Democrats are try
ing to get submitted to the people an
amendment to the State constitution
providing that plurality instead of a
majority of the votes cast shall here
after be sufficient to elect State officers.
There is little reason to suppose that
the Legislature, which is Republican,
will consent to give the people of
Connecticut a chance to pronounce
against rule which works so beauti-
fully for the Republican party. The
rotten borough system of Connecticut
insures the Legislature to the Repub-
licans, and the requirement of a ma
jority to elect State officers leaves the
State election to be settled by the Leg
islature. The present Governor and
his predecessor were elected in this
way. 1t is the minority which wins in
Connecticut.
New Hampshire is another State
which requires majority at State
elections. Both there and in Connect
icut the rule ought to be changed, and
ought to have been changed long ago.
Probably there is small hope of the
change, at least in Connecticut, at
present. The rotten borough system
must be smashed before the Republic
ans will give up their advantage.
They are less to be blamed, after all,
than the Republicans of this State.
The Connecticut Republicans merely
refuse to alter and modernize the State
constitution. The New York Repub-
leans fatty and persistently refuse to
obey the constitution Of New York.
What to them is obedience to the State
constitution compared with keeping
their grip on the Legislature? What
do they care if Democrats are de-
frauded of their rightsP The Repub-
lican bank will hang on to the fraudu.
lent percentage in its favor.
The people of New York and Con-
| necticut will sooner or later insist on
| fair play.-M Y. Sun.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06
DUNDER'S SAYINGS.
The Observations of One Who Looks at the
World with Experienced Eyes.

The Observations of One Who Looks at the
World with Experienced Eyes.
Idoan' belief half I hear-onless it
vhas scandal. Den l belief it all, and
more, too.
Der fact dot our neighbor can hat a
new coat while we hat to wear our old
one vhas blenty excuse to hate him.
When young man who vhas oudt of
work and money und in rags comes to
you for help, tell him "dere vhas room
at der top" 1t vhas good advice-und
VERY sheap.
If somebody robs me of two cents I
vhant him arrested for der principle OF
it. Der shmaller der sum der more l
stick for principle. You can buy a
whole carload of it for a cent.
When man begins to pellet dot he
owns der earth, it vhas time to put him
up for candidate for constable and let
him see how few admirers he has.
When meet man who hungers to
reform der human race, L took motifs
dot he vhas somebody who vhas tired
of honest labor, or he vhas scarf out OF
wicked career by der police.
When I goes into grocery and sees
der sign dot honesty vhas der best
policy, doan' buy some coffee dere.
It vhas sure to be half chicory.
If we lose dollar on der shtreet we
vhas madt because der finder vhas not
honest enough to return it. If we find
fife dollar we feel dot der owner ought
to lose it for his carelessness.
If you gift somepody advice find out
first how he believes, und den make
your advice to agree with it. Der man
whose advice doan' tally NIT our
opinions vhas no good.
doan' shudge Christian man by
der length of his prayers or der loud
ness of his song Der question vhas if
he pays his debts und keeps his hens
NIT his own yard.
If we vhas in der coal peesness und
giving eighteen hoonered pounds for a
ton, we keep an eye on der wood man
dot he gifts full measure NIT his wood.
If I vhas a good man like to half
der fact kept off my tombstone. Der
graveyard critic gifts nopoby credit.
Anticipation vhas big dinner which
we eat up und shtill feel hungry all
oafer. Detroit Free Press,
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06
The Recorders Manliness.

Recorder Trotter has said since his
confirmation: 1.-The feeling Of preju-
dice as to color that has been mani
tested here has not disturbed me, or
angered me at all. know enough of
human nature, both white and black,
to make all due allowance FORTS weak
ness. am liberal enough not to be
affected in my conduct towards people
by the color Of their faces, and have al
ways SO acted. I number among my
friends as many people of the white
race as do, perhaps, of the other.
Certainly, in my position here, I shall
act entirely regardless of any question
of race. I wish you would say that /
have been deeply affected by the ini-
mense number of kilograms and letters
l have received, not only from Massa-
chusetts, but from all parts Of the
country, and am deeply moved by the
expressions coming from all classes OF
citizens. have not had time to an
swer them
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06
REPUBLICAN, "FiGuRERs.'

An Interesting Speculation Regarding an
Understanding" Between the Senator
from Ohio and the STATESMAN" from
Maine.
1t would be interesting to know ex-
actly what the understanding is be-
tween Mr.. Blaine and Senator Sher-
men concerning the Republican nomi-
nation in 1883. That these distin-
guished Republican leaders have of
late, through their friends, made a
truce there is little doubt. Before Gen
eral Logan passed away it was COM
monty believed that the Ohio states
man hoped to win the nomination
through disagreements between the
head and tail of the old ticket. Death
swept away all calculations made on
that basis, and left Mr.. Blaine and Mr..
Sherman to fight it out alone.
Those who pretend to know affirm
that in case the Democrats renominate
President Cleveland, Mr.. Blaine will
desire to once more try conclusions
with him at the polls, and that, in this
case, Mr.. Sherman will step aside and
permit the Maine statesman to receive
a unanimous denomination and hearty
support. On the other hand they
whisper confidentially that if Govern
or Hill should be the Democratic can
didate Mr.. Blaine would realize the
hopelessless of the contest, whereupon
Sherman would take the nomination,
hoping to win OH the strength of his
standing with the business interests of
the country.
Now this is very pretty story as it
stands, but it lacks plausibllity. In the
first place, we do not believe that Mr..
Blaine has any hope of ever being able
to beat Mr.. Cleveland. If the Presi-
dent has phenomenal strength any
where it is among the business
men. They have confidence in him
That feeling elected him two years
ago. 1t would elect him as against Mr.
Blaine in 1888. Moreover, the great
masses of the people look upon him as
a conscientious, conservative man. Mr..
Blaine, on the other hand, has done
nothing to increase the confidence OF
the business community, while the peo-
pie still feel, and probably always
will feel, that the plumed knight, how
ever brilliant, is unstable and erratic.
AS for Mr.. Blaine's reputed dread of a
David B. Hill as competitor, that
may well be believed to be true. Gov
ernor Hill has all the popular qualities
of Mr.. Blaine, without any of the un.
fortunate drawbacks which brought
political ruin upon the magnetic states
man.
James G. Blaine and John Sherman
may or may not have some sort Of un-
derstanding concerning the nomina-
ton in 1888. But whether they have
or have not, it will not avail them un-
less there be some gross mistake
made on the other side. With fair
management the Democracy can and
will sweep the country in 1889. Il
has plenty of first-class Presidential
timber, and in any case can give the
Republicans Roland for an Oliver
| Boston Post.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06
An Indignant "Republica -

These who found fault with Pr .lent
Cleveland for not selecting for Recorder
of Deeds of the District of Columbia a
resident Of the district should ponder
over the sound remarks of the Wash
ington Republican organ, the National
Republican, on the question. The
National Democratic convention did
not include the District of Columbia
when it recommended the appoint
ment of residents to offices in the Ter
ritories, since the district is not Ter
ritory, but a body corporate for mu-
nicipal purposes. The Democratic
platform did not adopt any plank
promising home rule to the District of
Columbia. The Republican says:
When Congress became responsible for the
debt of the district it changed the form of gov
eminent and placed the control of all the dis
trict offices in the President, subject to con-
flrmation by the Senate. forming board of
commissioners clothed with all legislative
power to itself, and denying the people repre-
sentation or q voice in the selection of their
rulers. The National Republican believes in
home rule advocates home rule, and that taxa
tion and representation should go hand and
hand, but that does not change the facts as to
our present condition, nor justify the personal
abuse heaped upon the President OF the United
States by some Of our contemporaries. Polt-
ically we are opposed to the President In
many things he has demonstrated deep polit-
ical sagacty, and in none more SO than in his
persistent efforts to induce colored voters in
doubtful States of the North to look upon him
as their political friend and leader.
The confirmation of Mr.. Trotter
showed how little regard the Republic
cans Of the Senate had for the ''home
rule" plea. And yet it showed their
inconsistency. Mr.. Matthews was re-
jected because he was colored Dem
ocrat; Mr.. Trotter is confirmed
although he is a colored Democrat.
There was no other objection against
either.-Albaay Argms.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06
important Political skirmish.

The friends of Mr.. James G. Blaine,
according to a newspaper report, have
lately been canvassing the prospects of
that gentleman for denomination to the
Presidency. Thile the result has been
disappointing it has not been dis
couraging. That is, there is not that
unanimity Of sentiment in favor of the
Plumed Knight that was expected,
while the opposition is not so formida-
BILE that it may not be overcome by
good management.
The newspaper which gives the in
formation is proverbially inaccurate,
but it doesn't hesitate to give details
for what they are worth. Ohio is for
Sherman, Indiana for some one
else, Illinois Indifferent, Pennsyl-
vania non-committal. New Eng
land divided, the South susceptible
and the West willing to be seen. These
suggestions are little indefinite and
for that reason wanting in value, but if
they correctly represent the sentiment
of the locality may be accepted as in
dicating that Mr.. Blaine is really out
of politics.
But the fact that the canvass is in
progress stands as contradiction of
Mr.. Blaine that he is not aspiring to
lead the party in another contest. The
tattooed warrior is nothing if not adroit,
and he would not be likely to leopard
ize his future by entering hopeless
contest for place he didn't want un-
der any circumstances. The truth is
that the canvass which has been
made. if it has been made, is
simply the prelude to an active and
energetic campaign which Blaine pro-
poses to enter against Sherman, Haw-
ley, and Ill the other aspirants for the
Republican nomination. Harrisburg
Patriot,
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06
PRESS PARAGRAPHS.

-Vice-Presi dent ingalls, ought to
have gavel made from the. jaw-bone
of the British lion.-Haraisburg Pa
triot.
Senator Edmunds believes that
Mr.. Blaine will not be renominated.
He says he is confident that the Repub-
licans will nominate a good man.
Chicago Times.
Candidate for the Presidency
John Sherman is about to make tour
of the Southern States, and on the eve
of his departure he submitted to a
newspaper interview. Judging by the
interview it is safe to conclude that he
intends to be something more than
passive candidate this time; something
more than ambitious for nomination
to seek him. If the signs of the times
are safe to judge the future by, Sher-.
man will be just as enthusiastic in his
own behalf as any other man in the
field, Blaine not excepted. -Des Moines
Register.
The New York Star observes that
out Of 1872 bills vetoed by President
Cleveland during the recent session OF
Congress only two were passed not
withstanding the objection of the Elk
ecutive. And with respect to one of
these final action was taken with the
concurrence of the President in conse.
quence of later information received
by him. This tribute to the care and
justice with which President Cleveland
considers acts Of Congress is striking
Dubuque Telegraph.
by all means buy chestnut bell
for the perpetual use of the Senate and
pay for it out Of the Senate's contingent
fund, no part of which has ever been
devoted to better purpose For lying
eulogies, for sickly metaphors, for
chronic absenteeism, for lodging Of
votes, for humbug bills and humbug
speeches, for swollen jobs, for summons
to cold tea, ring out the Senate chest
nut bell clear and high. Hon.
James ingalls, ought to have the ring
ing of that bell.-N. Y. Sun.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06
VOL. XLII.-NO. IA.
and mewed until the cook let him 60
out into the garden.

ana mcWeO untli Tie COOK let MIN 80
out into the garden.
Willie and Earnest also searched.
Mr.. Smith went off to the police-station
to describe the little girl and to inquire.
Poor little Lily was lost-perhaps dead.
and no one could think where the child
had gone! The garden was searched
with lanterns; and; when the boys with
their father were looking round for the
last time, up came Tim and mewed.
Il believe Tim misses Lily" said
Ernest.
Tim mewed again, turned round,
walked down the garden and made
dreadful noise. Then. to the astonish-
ment of all, the cat leaped on the big
ssowbalt and scratched at 1t!
Il do believe Lily's buried i'll the
snow, father" cried Willie. Come
along, let's see.
MI. Smith said nothing, but with q
tremendous shove he turned the ball
over. The boys clutched it, and there,
in the aperture, lay Lily-insensible or
asleep-but alive certainly.
Tim mewed, and raced into the house
in front of Mr.. Smith. who. with his
little girl in his arms, came running
into the kitchen.
The cook screamed. Mrs. Smith
came rushing down when the boys
cried "nily's found!"
The doctor came, and poor Lily was
in bed with terrible chilblains for many
days; but she never was really i'll.
Il fell asleep" she said, ..and | re-
member no more. | pretended to be a
Laplander, and l breathed through the
hole the fall had made. never heard
any one call me. "
But they were SO glad to find her
that no one scolded her. Tim was
praised for being so sensible, and he
purred his thanks. But il Lily had not
been kind to him she might never have
been found.
And so ended Lily's strange adj
venture and the story Of the biggest
SNOWFALL that ever WAS seen. Henry
Firth. IN Little Folks.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06
READING FOR THE YOUNG.
NATURAL HISTORY LESSON.

"I suppose you think you know me. child" said
he,
But things are seldom what they seem to be,
And your ignorance can not but lament
I can give some information
For your mental cultivation,
Ifyou listen with mind intelligent"
20, thank you, sir!n she said in tones polite,
Though her teeth they chartered audibly with
fright.
. Then give me your attention." he began,
And please do not grow fdgety-
Ny family is Strigide.
And Syna;,pn Cinereun, my clan,
:" My customs, l may say, are quite nocturnal,
Though my cousins, the Nycteas, are diurnal
(They are dear, but distant, relatives of
mine.)
My habits are carnivOrous
And sometimes insectivorous,
To rodents especially incline.
~ NY eyes are rather luminous, 1 own"
He continued, in q meditative tone,
" But if it would oblige you, could wink.
My pupils are dilating,
But the lids are nictitating,
Which enables me to give my noted blink
+" grieve to say that persons superstitious
Abuse me in manner most malicious,
But you-regard me not with careless eyesi
Let me ask you to observe
Final fact-that to Minerva
am sacred-and I'm counted very WISE"
!" I thank you very kindly sir" said she,
I" But all your Latin words are Greek to me:
Don't think me rude-you are learned fowl,
And much admire your feathers,
So suited to all weathers;
But-excuse me!-are you not our common
owlg'
Margaret johnson, IN ST. Nicholas.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06
BLUE VS.. BLACK EYES.
Tommy Fane's Novel scheme for Securing
Little sister to His Liking.

Tommy Fane's Novel scheme for Securing
Little sister to Ills Liking.
Tommy Fane's hair was jet-black.
and so was that of his little sister, who
was only four months old. They both
had black eyes. But Tommy didn't
think black hair and eyes pretty. He
loved his little sister very much, but he
used to wish she had yellow hair and
blue eyes, like those of a baby he had.
once seen in the park
just across the street from where
Tommy lived was a new house, and
one day a family movedinto it. While
they were putting things to rights up
stairs Tommy went in to look around.
Almost the first thing he saw was
cradle, and in it a lovely baby, with
yellow hair curling in little rings all
over its head, and its eyes were blue.
'Oh, dear! l wish our baby looked
like this" thought Tommy. Then he
wondered if his mother wouldn't rather
have this baby than her own. He knew
she, too, thought blue eyes pretty.
He stood looking at the baby a mo-
ment. and then lifted it from the cradle.
It was almost too heavy for him to car
ry, but he held it close, and, taking it
home, put it in his little sisters cradle.
Then he carried his little sister over to
the other house.
A few minutes later the mother Of
the yellow-haired baby came to take
the little thing upstairs. She thought
when she saw the strange baby in the
cradle that she must be dreaming. She
knew her baby's hair and eyes couldn't
have turned black in an hour. Some
body had stolen her own child, and left
this one in its place.
She picked the baby up and ran
across the street to tell somebody the
dreadful thing that had happened.
She didn't know Tommy's mother, but
she went right in the house without
stopping to knock. And there was
Tommy, showing his mother the new
little sister with the yellow hair.
/ "Why, Tommy'-began his mother
Then she saw the stranger in the door
way, and ran to take the baby from her
arms.
Aud the strange lady caught up the
baby in the cradle, glad enough to have
found it safe.
Both the mothers cried at first, but
they laughed when Tommy told why
he had exchanged the babies. They
didn't scold him, for they knew he had
not meant to do wrong, and was sorry
he had made so much trouble. --Florencs
B. HalloWcll, IN Our Little Ones.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06
PlTH AND POINT.

She (whispering) You gave your
self away. He-I gave nothing away.
She-That's what l said.-M Y
Graphic.
"A subscriber wants to know if
men make much out of journalism.
Yes, dear friend, much more out of it
than in it.-New Have,, NeUs.
-'Oh, DEAR" exclaimed Henderson,
II wish l knew something about his
tory!' very commendable aspira-
ton" replied Fogg, 'but why do you
particularize history, Fendy?"-Boston
Transcript
The body of King Alfonso Of
Spain is said to be petrifying, and a
New York dude is going over to watch
the process. He has spent $4,000
trying to get ''hard," and hasn't sue
ceedcd yet to his own satisfaction
Puck.
His Peace Destroyed.
A married man in words unkind
And with much emphasis AYERS,
His wife destroys his peace of mind
By giving him piece Of hers.
Merchant Traveler
1t is astonishing how much scorn,
indignation and contempt woman can
put into two words. If you do not be-
lieve it just listen while she speaks OF
some one she disllkes as ''that man. p
Boston Globe.
Tin Armenia the bride is not al
lowed to speak in the presence of her
husbands mother A legend exists
that in America there are times when
the husband is not allowed to speak in
the presence of his wife's mother.
"A Question. proprietor Of
our leading cafe has succeeded in train
ing his walters almost to perfection; but
when order terrapin and yellow label
after theater party, has this one any
right to put on that look of ineffable
surprise because I prefer to vary the
monotony of my usual cheese sand
witch once in whilep-Puck
-"See here, Talbot, you told me
that Miss Courtney owned this country
seat?' mo, I didn't, Joe. said
she owns a country seat?" "Well,
where is the one she owns?'' II don't
know; saw her carry it with her when
she went to milk this morning" "Good
gracious, Talbot, what are you talking
about?'' "a milking stool!''
| Beautiful sport beautiful! said
the drummer. ''Sixty birds in two
hours, and only missed two shots" A
quiet gentleman sitting in corner Of
the hotel office put down his paper,
rushed across the room and grasped
him warmly by the hand. "Allow me
to congratulate you, sir, - said; Il am
| a professional myself. !" professional
sportsman" mo; professional liar. -
N y Post.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06

In Grant County, Ore, where the
bounty on jackrabbit scalps is five
cents each. some of the farmers stretch
a wire screen across the prairie. the
screen having me.hes just large enough
for rabbit to stick his head through
Then men and dogs round up the rab-
bits, and drive them toward the screen.
and, in their hurry to escape, they
stick their heads through and are
caught. Then the farmers scalp the
captives and let them go, hoping that
each will raise another five-cent scalp
before long. This is the story told by
the Grant County Ne,os.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06

4
The treatises on social etiquette
will have to be amended in order to
include the very latest way of declin-
ing an invitation to reception. Thus,
Henry Willard and Joseph Willard IRE
two brother millionaires in Washing.
ton who do not cultivate the virtue OF
brotherly love. Henry Willard gave
an entertainment and sent card to
Joseph, reading: "Mr and Mrs.
Henry Willard. At home January Is
from 9 to II p. M Whereupon
Joseph sent card to Henry. readings
Joseph Willard. also at home January
Is from 9 to II p. m" That was short,
sweet and graphic.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06
THE SCHOOL MARIN.

Gee where she comes adown the lane,
With gladness in her laughing eye,
And in her hand the rattan cane
Will murder laughter by and by.
Young love turks in her merry tone,
And nestles in her roguish looks,
And long, hard, crooked questions moan
And sob and snifle in her books.
Her dimpled hand, that seeks the curl
Coquetting with her graceful head,
Can make boys ears ring and whirl.
And make the boy wish he were dead
How much she knows, this blooming rose,
OF human will and human won't:
One wonder is, how much she knows,
The other is, how much she don't.
Sweet pedagogue / envy not
The merry boys who greet thy call;
Thy mother cuffed my ears good wot,
When she was young and was small.
-Burdette, in Brooklyn Eagle.